I, too, consider the roller fad to be largely that, from the viewpoint that it's routinely misapplied by many people who do it themselves.
For me, I know that most things that create a "bad blood out / good blood in" effect tends to ease aches, assist in recovery. So long as it's in moderation.
Such as off-day, recovery-day "training" routines. IOW, active recovery, but using greater range of motion, much-reduced intensity, sufficient cardio, sufficient enlistment of all muscles (particularly the "affected" ones from the prior tougher activities).
Such as a quality massage.
Such as a good soak in hot water, depending on the aches.
And, such as foam rolling. At least, so long as it aids "kneading" the muscles but isn't so hard or strenuously applied that it strains or damages things. (IMO, "rollers" tend to be far too hard, bordering on rolling pin hard. They should, at least from my own experience, be way to the opposite end of the spectrum, something nearer to a modest-to-moderate massage. If they are, I can "self-medicate" with the roller. If they aren't, if they're too hard and unyielding, I find they can strain the muscles in the area, even causing aches.
Can't say what others' experiences might be. But "mild" rolling with softer gear that mimics a decent focused/area massage is something that's helped me with recovery over the years. (Depending on which muscles and whether such "massage" can be done on them.)
JMO